Discovered in the Tinsel and Glitter - All I want for Christmas!
December 29th, 18:53
Its Christmas and the lads are getting together - but will they get what they want most?
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Bodie opened his door and nearly fell backwards in shock. Seemingly walking towards him was a Christmas tree, which was undulating awkwardly as it made its way down the hall.
“Ray?” he called out uncertainly. Worryingly, there was no answer, but before he had the chance to step out or call again, the tree seemed to explode forwards. Bodie ducked instinctively as parts of the tree rocketed towards him and then looked up in horror to see his partner fighting over a gun, with a man he had never seen before.
Bodie did not hesitate and raced forward, dodging the litter of the Christmas tree to try to reach the fracas and back his partner. Before he could get there, the gun went off, once, twice, three times and then everything stopped for a breath, before both men collapsed.
“Ray!” Bodie shouted as he reached the men, removing his jacket as he noticed blood pooling between them. He fell to his knees next to his partner, looking for the wound, when Doyle’s eyes opened and he look past Bodie, eyes wide. He suddenly sat up, grab the gun which lay between the two fallen men and to Bodie’s shock again, shot past him. Bodie turned at the sound of the bullet hitting the other man, just in time to see him fall once more, a bullet between his eyes and a second gun falling from his limp hand.
The scene held for a moment of silence, which was only broken as Doyle groaned and lay down, clutching the slowly oozing wound on his shoulder.
“How bad?” Bodie asked urgently. “Flesh wound” Doyle whispered between gritted teeth, “but it hurts like hell.” Bodie gently helped him up and into his flat as he reassured the other residents who had finally come out, that all was safe and that he would contact the police.
Waiting only long enough to settle Doyle at the kitchen table with a towel staunching his wound, Bodie called to report in. He knew the response would be quick and within ten minutes, Doyle was being treated, the morgue van had arrived to pick up the deceased and Bodie was giving a quick report to the Office on Duty. He was not looking forward to reporting to Cowley, who was on the way.
Bodie turned to hear Doyle arguing with the medic that he was “NOT” going to hospital. Not getting any support from Bodie when he looked for it, the medic sighed. He bandaged the wound and watched (with Bodie glaring in the background), until Doyle had taken the painkillers he had been given. Doyle was to visit the CI5 doctor the next day for further assessment.
Soon enough, Cowley arrived in the kitchen at full roar. “What the hell happened?”. Bodie shrugged in Doyle’s direction and the man in question sighed, before telling the tale.
“I had arranged to bring a Christmas tree over. My local grocer had kept one for me and this had been the first chance for me to do this.” He glared at Cowley, his look speaking the words “and whose fault was that.” When Cowley did nothing more than glare back, he continued. “I had buzzed Bodie at the front door and was making my way in with the tree, when a man appeared and offered to help. I was in the process of declining, when he shoved the gun against my neck and pushed me in to the building.”
“Who was he?” Cowley demanded.
“I had never seen him before.” Doyle and Cowley looked to Bodie who also shook his head. Neither had he.
A call from the door drew Cowley’s attention as the Duty Officer supplied an update. Returning after a few minutes conversation, Cowley brought them up to to speed. “Wrong place, wrong time” he said blandly. “Who, him or me?” asked Doyle disinterestedly, the pain killers starting to take effect. “Him” Cowley responded with a sharp look. “He was the ex partner of a former resident of this building. They had moved out in fear and for good reason it seems.” Cowley continued, “He was identified by a neighbour who had helped the ex partner to move out.”
“An unfortunate experience all round” Cowley finished off before turning and heading towards the door, his mind already on the next crisis. “Full reports on my desk by 8am tomorrow” he called over his shoulder as he left, to the groans of the men remaining in the kitchen. The cleanup crew had already finished and all that was left was them and the forlorn remains of the Christmas tree, which had been dragged into the flat and was now lying in the living room.
With a sigh, Doyle stood carefully and called to his partner as he went to the living room “Come on, we best finish this.” Bodie followed in confusion, “Finish what?”. Doyle responded, “I didn’t go through all this, to not have a Christmas tree setup.” They set up the tree with the worst of the damage facing the wall. Once the decorations and lights where in place, you had to look closely to see any sign of the misadventure the tree had experienced.
Bodie smiled at the tree lighting up the room and turned to share his pleasure with his partner. However, when he turned, first he saw tonsils, followed by a wavering body. “C’mon sunshine, time for all good elves to be resting.”
Doyle still wavering, opened his eyes and gave a watered down version of his trademark glare, too tired to do any more. He didn’t resist however, when Bodie pulled him to his side and led him to his bedroom. Nor did he resist as Bodie carefully undressed him and laid him in his bed. As he Bodie rose to go, Doyle grabbed his arm “Don’t go!” he demanded urgently. “Just going to lock up”, Bodie replied with a small smile. Reluctantly, Doyle let go, but Bodie could see that his partner would not rest, until he was back.
Sure enough, droopy eyes were watching as steadfast as a tin soldier and did not close until Bodie had joined him in bed. Doyle snuggled close in his arms and with a loud, satisfying sigh and one more wiggle, closed his eyes and went to sleep. Bodie smiled as he drew him closer, his partner safe and in his arms - best present ever!